New series 'Taxi Driver' kicks off with replacement cast member

SBS's new crime action series “Taxi Driver” reached a 13.5 percent viewership rating on Saturday. Courtesy of SBS

By Kwak Yeon-soo

SBS's new TV series “Taxi Driver” got off to a good start with its first two episodes scoring over 10-percent viewership ratings.

The series went to air on Friday, with a 10.7 percent viewership rating. The rating rose to 13.5 percent when the second episode was broadcast on Saturday.

Before airing the first episode, the production team of “Taxi Driver” hit a snag because its original cast member Lee Na-eun of K-pop group April was mired in accusations that she ostracized her former bandmate, Lee Hyun-joo. Lee was replaced by actress Pyo Ye-jin.

Based on the webcomic called “The Deluxe Taxi,” the series revolves around a former Special Forces officer named Kim Do-ki (Lee Je-hoon) who works for Rainbow Taxi Company, which seeks revenge on behalf of victims who have been unable to get justice via the Korean legal system.

Kim brings justice against those who take advantage of blind spots in the legal system in this black comedy drama that addresses social issues. Each of the episode explores cases based on shocking real-life events such as disabled people being put into slavery, abuse in schools and online chat room sexual exploitation cases, which have been all-too-frequent in Korea over recent years.

It is directed by Park Joon-woo, known for his previous drama “Doctor Detective” (2019), and written by Oh Sang-ho, whose previous works include crime thriller film “Fabricated City” (2017).

“Taxi Driver” airs Fridays and Saturdays at 10 p.m.